A DEVELOPER that has exchanged contracts to purchase an iconic Newquay hotel has vowed to restore the 19th century building to its former glory.

The Nicholas James Group (NJG) based in Southampton is in the process of buying the Hotel Victoria, Bertie O'Flannigan's pub and Berties Nightclub, the adjacent Whitehouse and Señor Dicks Mexican Restaurant in East Street.

The company plans to “breathe new life into the site” through “substantial investment” once the contracts are exchanged at the end of January.

The Hotel Victoria, which is not listed, closed on Monday, November 18 and Bertie O'Flannigan's pub is due to shut on Monday. Around 50 staff are going through a redundancy process.

The Nicholas James Group stated the directors of Hotel Victoria made the decision to close the hotel prior to purchase, due to the “longstanding difficult trading conditions.”

The company said that although the continued closure is regrettable, it will be necessary given the scale of renovations required.

The group revealed detailed proposals would be available by spring 2025.

The property development and investment company has more than 30 years of experience in large-scale planning and development across various sectors. 

The company’s portfolio extends beyond hospitality, encompassing care homes, wedding venues, cinemas, residential and office schemes across the South of England, which it says is “ testament to its commitment to high-end developments.”

Notable projects include plans for a £200 million redevelopment of Town Quay in Southampton, which aims to create a waterfront destination.

The scheme includes 460 flats spread across four tower blocks, a five-star hotel spa, restaurants and bars.

Nicolas James Group are the former owners of Harbour Hotels, having successfully built the group up to 15 hotels across southern England.

One of its latest investments is THE NICI, a five-star standard 90-bedroom beachfront hotel in Bournemouth, which launched in 2022 following a multi-million pound refurbishment. 

A spokesperson for the Nicolas James Group said: “We have successfully exchanged contracts to purchase Hotel Victoria in Newquay.

“The group plans to breathe new life into the site through substantial investment and redevelopment, with plans to be submitted in due course.

“Nicolas James Group, known for its expertise in the hospitality sector, has a proven track record of acquiring and transforming iconic coastal properties.

“Recognising Hotel Victoria's rich heritage and potential, the group will leverage its experience and investment to restore the hotel to its former glory, as a cornerstone of Newquay's vibrant hospitality scene.

“Details of proposals will be made available by spring 2025.

“This acquisition presents a unique opportunity to revitalise a cherished landmark in Newquay. We are excited to have exchanged contracts and look forward to sharing our vision for the hotel's future.

“The directors of the vendor made the decision to close the hotel prior to purchase, due to the longstanding difficult trading conditions, with the site to now remain closed during its extensive refurbishment. While this continued closure is regrettable, it is necessary given the scale of renovations required.”

“Given our track record, Newquay can anticipate a similarly high-end project that aligns with their vision of quality and luxury.”

The sale has come about after the majority of the shareholders who owned the Hotel Victoria, Bertie O'Flannigan's pub and Berties Nightclub and Señor Dicks Mexican Restaurant decided to get their equity out of the business despite “other options being available.”

The Hotel Victoria has been run by the Taylor family since 1976. Ron and Audrey Taylor moved to Newquay in 1971 and purchased the Pentire Hotel before the Victoria Hotel. They sold the Pentire Hotel in 1988.

They converted the Prince Albert pub and saloon bar into Berties pub, which became a feeder bar for Berties Nightclub. The pub and night club went on to become one of the most popular venues in Cornwall in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Richard Taylor, a major shareholder in the business, said: “We exchanged contracts with the Nicolas James Group, and the sale is due to complete at the end of January.

“From what we know a major refurbishment and refit of the hotel will take place. Once that is complete the hotel will be a major asset to the town.

“This deal has been in the pipeline for one and a half years. There were alternatives that would have enabled the Hotel Victoria to continue but the choice was made to go with the Nicolas James Group.”

The Hotel Victoria was designed by the Cornish architect, John Sansom, who was part of a practice in Liskeard.

Local builder C R Bellingham started construction in 1897, and the hotel officially opened on June 1, 1899.

The Hotel Victoria was built in the Gothic Revival style, with ornate stonework, Victorian style balconies and a glass covered entrance cloister.

The hotel accommodated 100 guests and their servants in suites of apartments when it was originally built. In later years it has been reorganised and enlarged and now caters for more than 200 guests.

A feature of the Hotel Victoria was the lift that connected every floor to the bathing beaches below, claimed to be the only one in England.